Raving Iranian TV accuses Ofcom of Sky ban Iranian-backed Press TV is again claiming it's been kicked it off Sky, despite the fact that Ofcom hasn't done any such thing, though the regulator has asked for an editorial office in the UK. Perhaps concluding that attack is the best form of defence, Press TV has launched into Ofcom with cries of censorship and conspiracy …
As part of their penalty, post-money-fine is to make them put on an English and Arabic statement on screen and verbally every few hours that states exactly what is going on and have someone watch the channel to make sure they don't say "at 3 o'clock we were forced to tell you something by Ofcom".
There's been the talk of more severe sanctions, then the attack on the British embassy compounds and the subsequent withdrawals of so many European diplomatic staff. Iran has now suggested that, if there are more sanctions, they might close the Straits of Hormuz, thereby cutting off an international shipping route and, perhaps more importantly, the supply of oil to the USA. If I was living in Iran right now, I wouldn't be that bothered about Press TV's status in the UK.
Why would they want to display an announcement in Arabic, since their national language is Persian? only a small minority in the south speak Arabic fluently.
Despite that, Press TV complaining of censorship is like Stalin saying that he had a free and independent judicial system.
At least they provide a little comic relief.
However, if Ahmadinnerjacket & co. attempt to close the Straits of Hormuz, then apart from a very peeved Uncle Sam, they will find that the rest of the Gulf States will be somewhat miffed as well - to such an extent that they won't hinder the US of A in "re-opening" said straits, and possibly administering a spanking, too.
Reading through the Ofcom report, Press TV did an "interview" with some poor bugger from an Iranian jail who was compelled to give scripted answers to scripted questions. And the Press TV went on to use this interview without mentioning the rather pertinent fact he was under extreme duress.
I'm glad to see Ofcom slap them down. Alternate viewpoints doesn't mean broadcast standards are optional. Fox got whacked for it a few years back to. I'm glad to see Press TV get whacked now.
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